Firs Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school Leaders and governors have ensured that all staff share an unswerving commitment to setting high expectations for all pupils. Leaders are determined and uncompromising in their pursuit of a first-class education for all pupils. As a cohesive and motivated team, the staff have driven far-reaching improvements since the previous inspection.

They are passionate about the care, welfare and education of every pupil who attends the school. All staff share a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the school's effectiveness. Leaders, including subject coordinators, use their meticulous monitoring to formulate precise and ambitious plans for im...provement.

The curriculum is expertly planned and effectively develops learning across a wide range of subjects. It makes a strong contribution to pupils developing a broad and deep understanding of the world. Teaching ensures that pupils of all abilities complete work that is challenging and stimulating.

Teachers and other adults question pupils expertly to assess their understanding and develop the depth of their thinking. They also explain new and challenging concepts with precision and clarity. Inspirational leadership, in tandem with highly effective teaching, ensures that children make rapid progress in the early years.

Pupils make outstanding progress from their different starting points across the curriculum and throughout the school. This is equally true of the great many pupils who join the school at different points during the school year. Pupils make fast progress in all subjects.

Despite this, the proportion of pupils working at greater depth in writing is not as high as it is in other subjects. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They are enthusiastic, considerate and resilient.

The personal development of pupils ensures that they are exceptionally well prepared for life after 'the Firs'. Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe and healthy and they understand the characteristics of effective learning. Arrangements for keeping pupils safe are highly effective.

The school works in partnership with a range of other agencies to ensure that pupils receive the support needed to thrive. Parents and members of the local community are overwhelmingly positive about the school and its staff.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website.

Firs Primary School is much larger than the average-sized primary school. The school has significantly grown in size since the last inspection. The number of staff working at the school has also greatly increased.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is broadly in line with the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. This proportion has increased significantly recently. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below the national average.

The school has specially resourced provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is double the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is above the national average.

More pupils enter the school at different times of the year than is seen nationally. Many of these pupils are new to the country and are at the early stages of speaking English when they join the school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations of pupils' achievement in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of key stage 2.

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